Protein powders can help you reach your daily protein intake goals – which isn’t always easy if you’re following a
specialty diet. For example, new vegetarians or vegans might struggle to get enough protein, until they’re familiar with all of the available options. . But with so many options on the market, how do you know which brands and products work with your lifestyle? Instead of searching, check out this helpful list, broken down by specific dietary needs.
The best protein powders for: Keto dieters
Keto-friendly protein powders will be very low in carbohydrates and very high in fat. A Keto diet consists of a 5% daily carbohydrate intake, and it can be a challenge to find a protein powder that’s low in carbs. Luckily, you can find several low-carb/high-fat protein powders at Vitacost!
Vega’s Protein & Greens powder delivers 20 grams of high-quality plant-based protein and only 6 grams of carbs, making it keto friendly. It’s also low in calories, sugar (with
no added sugars) and gluten-free. The best part? It really tastes great!
Each scoop of this “Zero Net Carb” vanilla protein powder supplies 10 grams of protein – and it’s keto friendly, paleo and gluten-free. You also get collagen peptides and 5 grams of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconuts in each serving.
The best protein powders for: Vegan & plant-based eaters
Vegan diets exclude all animal products, including dairy and eggs. Many protein powders contain these ingredients, so it can be tricky to find something 100% plant based – though,
plant-based sports nutrition is on the rise. Check out these options to meet your needs if you’re following a vegan diet.
This powder is perfect for vegans. Made from 14 organic grains, seeds and legumes with no soy or dairy, it’s truly a clean plant-based protein powder. You get 22 grams of protein per serving, with no added sugars, artificial flavors or gluten. Plus, with probiotics and enzymes – it’s easy to digest. Hands down, this is one of my favorite protein powders (and I’m not vegan!).
Another top-notch choice for vegans, this 100% plant-based, pure pea protein powder is nutrient packed – with vitamins, minerals, fiber and 15 grams of protein. It’s also unflavored, which means you can boost your protein intake easily by adding it to soups, oatmeal, cereals and, of course, smoothies.
The best protein powders for: Vegetarians
A vegetarian diet excludes meat; however, vegetarians still consume some animal products such as daily (milk, cheese, etc.) and eggs – which are good protein sources. Vegetarian protein powders typically contain whey or egg whites, and there are many options available.
Biochem Sports offers a 100% whey concentrate powder that’s vegetarian friendly – and organic. It supplies 20 grams of grass-fed vegetarian protein per serving. An added bonus is that the cows providing the milk for this product are never treated with artificial hormones (rBGH or rBST). You won’t find any artificial flavorings here, either!
MRM's egg white protein powder is hormone and antibiotic free, delivering 23 grams of protein with a single scoop. Bonus: It's also very low in calories (100), carbs (2 grams) and boasts zero grams of sugar. And, you get BCAAs -- which promote natural healthy muscle maintenance -- too!
The best protein powders for: Paleo dieters
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paleo diet is based on eating patterns of our early ancestors, so the diet is rich in whole foods such as veggies, fruits, meat and fish. A “clean” protein powder that doesn’t contain additives, preservatives, refined sugars and chemicals is best for this type of diet.
Made from real bone broth and delivering 20 grams of protein per serving, Ancient Nutrition’s Bone Broth Protein is a premium-quality powder. Besides having no carbs or added salt, sugar, colors, preservatives or artificial ingredients, it’s gut friendly and easy to digest. Plus, it’s non-GMO!
This protein powder contains one simple ingredient: beef gelatin from pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine hides. It delivers 17 grams of protein and 20 grams of collagen peptides per serving – and it’s free of dairy, gluten and sugar. Mix it into hot or cold liquids for a pure protein boost.
The best protein powders for: low-sugar needs
Finding a zero-sugar protein powder is especially tricky. Some protein powders naturally don’t taste great, so sweeteners or flavorings are commonly added. But, low-sugar dieters – don’t despair. These high-quality products fit your needs.
Sunwarror protein powder is packed with everything – besides sugar! Each serving delivers 28 grams of organic plant-based protein, branched chain amino acids and MCTs from coconut while being low in calories (100), with only 2 grams of fat and zero grams of sugar. It’s also dairy free, non-gmo and gluten-free.
Jay Robb protein powders are known for being premium quality. Thankfully, they offer a sugar-free option! In addition to being free of sugar, this product is also soy and lactose-free, with nothing artificial in the mix. You score 26 grams of protein, with just 110 calories and zero grams of fat. Plus, since it’s unflavored, you can add it to anything – yogurt, pudding, ice cream … the choice is yours!
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